Women's Soccer Picked First in Preseason Poll
CCSU was picked first in the leagues preseason poll announced Tuesday.
The Central Connecticut women's soccer team, the four-time defending Northeast Conference champions, were picked as the league's favorite in the Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday. The Blue Devils received eight first-place votes in the poll, while Fairleigh Dickinson collected two votes.
In the fall 2021 season, Central went 13-5 overall and 8-2 in conference action. The team led the league in both goals per game (1.61) and goals against average (0.78).They won their fourth straight Northeast Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament to face the Georgetown Hoyas.
Head coach Mick D'Arcy was named the 2021 NEC Coach of the Year for the eighth time in his career. He has guided Central to ten conference championships, while also recording a pair of wins in the NCAA Tournament. D'Arcy has coached the Blue Devils to 225 wins in his 22 years as head coach and was inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame in February of 2022. Roma McLaughlin returns after being named NEC Midfielder of the Year, marking the third season in a row that she's taken the award home. McLaughlin had seven goals last season in 13 appearances to lead the team. In total, the Blue Devils had five All-NEC First Team selections and two on the All-Rookie Team. Kelly Brady and Kristina Kelly are also back after being named to the First Team at the forward and midfielder position, respectively. Aoife Horgan and Erin Sutter, who each saw time in the starting lineup as rookies also return after being named to the NEC All-Rookie Team.
Fairleigh Dickinson, the 2021 NEC runner-up, was picked second and followed by Sacred Heart and Howard to round out the top four. Wagner was picked fifth and followed by Merrimack and St. Francis Brooklyn.
The league's top six teams will qualify for the 2022 NEC Tournament. The semifinals and championship will be hosted by the top seed on Nov. 4-6. CCSU's season opens at home on Thursday, Oct. 18, against Siena.